The value of commemorative wares

By William Gregory MRICS, Golding Young and Mawer.
At a recent Lincoln auction, a collection of commemorative wares made over £30,000.

The collectable market contains some of the most enthusiastic auction buyers. Their knowledge of the subject and lengths they go to for that special item is always impressive.

However, for this collection I suspect there were other motives at play and that it wasn’t the Royal Collector bidding on the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Wedding medallion or Silver Jubilee coaster.
Although the clue is still in the description.

Collectors of commemorative medallions have the added appeal of what they are made from. The historic high prices of precious metals keep the market buoyant. Gold and silver are the most popular metals used, although platinum can be substituted for extra exclusive appeal.

These medallions were originally offered for sale with information booklets and in numbered limited editions
.
Whilst the limited edition is unlikely to add value in the auction market, the original booklets may, as they often detail metals used and weights, which can be especially useful in valuing and avoiding silver and gold plated editions.

Illustrated here are a few examples of lots sold, including the 2016 Brexit commemorative coin which sold for £530.

This should give some indication as to the price of the Covid-19 commemorative medallion which is due on the market sometime soon.

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